Chapter 375: Domain Expansion
While Kizaru continued escorting the group of noble lords to safety, Sengoku dove back into battle with Kaido.
For Sengoku, the earlier exchange with Kizaru was just a minor distraction.
He had seen the ferocity in Kizaru's attack and knew the man was dead-set on protecting those nobles. As for Kizaru extorting life-saving fees from the desperate aristocrats, Sengoku didn't bat an eye. He trusted Kizaru to know the line between what was acceptable and what wasn't.
But business was business.
Letting Kizaru rake in a fortune so easily wasn't Sengoku's style, he had to make him share the spoils. After all, an Admiral's salary was pitifully low. Unlike bounty hunters, Marines didn't pocket the full bounties of captured pirates, though they did receive bonuses.
Catching pirates was part of a Marine's duty. For high-ranking officers, the Marines provided warships, supplies, equipment, and maintenance, not to mention salaries and the vast resources invested in training their strength. If Marines could claim full pirate bounties on top of that, why would anyone bother being a bounty hunter? They would all just join the Marines.
The current system rewarded Marines with merits and bonuses for capturing pirates. Merits aside, the bonuses were another story. Typically, a pirate crew might have many members, but only a few carried bounties. Bonuses were only awarded for capturing those specific individuals, and even then, a portion had to be shared with the soldiers and subordinates who joined the mission.
The result? The actual take-home bonus was often meager.
So, despite being an Admiral, Sengoku was far from wealthy. He, too, wanted to improve his quality of life. While he didn't know exactly how much those fat-cat nobles had paid Kizaru, he was certain of one thing: Kizaru, ever the opportunist who never let a chance slip, had likely fleeced them for all they were worth.
Sengoku wasn't greedy, he just wanted a fair cut.
But a nagging question lingered: Are the Five Elders really holding up okay?
As Sengoku pondered this, the Five Elders themselves were on the verge of cursing in frustration.
Why were the Marines and other powerhouses in the Holy Land acting so indifferent? Were the demons in other areas that troublesome? Not a single soul had come to their aid, they were starting to feel suspicious.
Beyond their personal guards, the Five Elders began to wonder if the Marines were putting on an act or testing the World Government's true strength. Could it be that, after witnessing King's overwhelming and terrifying power, the Marines were harboring some dissatisfaction?
Instinctively, the Five Elders grew wary.
But suspicions aside, they were currently overwhelmed, with no time to dwell on conspiracies.
---
Holy Land Marijoa, Pangea Castle.
All the apostles, except Gekiryū and Kujira, were locked in combat with the Five Elders.
Gekiryū wielded a wind-like barrier, enveloping the allied kings in a protective yet restraining field. This was per Apostle Celestial Dragon's orders before he left. To the apostles, the Sun God, King, was ultimately a deterrent. Letting all the kings die would be reckless, so Celestial Dragon opted for caution.
As for the Celestial Dragons' families, Celestial Dragon had no intention of killing them. The reason was straightforward: his own existence stemmed from the fear people held for the Celestial Dragons. Eradicating them would be counterproductive. Instead, he planned to amplify their intimidating presence at the right moment, as the people's fear would only strengthen his power.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Inside Gekiryū's wind barrier, the kings watched in panic as a figure darted desperately through the chaotic scene.
It was the beard elder, Saint Mars, fleeing for his life.
He faced Apostle Shiwen, who had already deployed his domain, forming the Stone Light Pillar. Shiwen glanced at the retreating Saint Mars and waved a hand.
The stone pillar behind him glowed faintly, unleashing a devastating shockwave.
In an instant, Saint Mars's position, and a massive building behind him, were obliterated.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The terrifying force carved a conical crater hundreds of meters wide into the ground. The deafening blast shook the heavens, and the entire Holy Land quaked.
The kings, watching from a distance, felt their hearts seize. How horrifying! These apostles were truly inhuman monsters. Numbers meant nothing against them. A world with such creatures was beyond salvation.
---
Near Pangea Castle.
"Domain Expansion!"
On another battlefield, Apostle Zhurong faced the blond elder, Saint Peter, and activated his domain.
A black sky unfurled from Zhurong, and the ground was swept by a dark tide. In moments, Saint Peter's expression twisted in shock.
The surroundings began to glow red, and the world transformed completely.
Except for a small reef, mere meters wide, beneath Zhurong and Saint Peter, the rest of the ground was engulfed in bubbling, red-hot magma. A scorching heat filled the air, evaporating moisture instantly and leaving the atmosphere bone-dry.
At the edges of this crimson world, stone walls glowed red-hot, encircling them like molten iron.
"Volcano Island," Zhurong's deep voice rumbled.
The domain lived up to its name, a small island within a volcanic crater, surrounded by molten death.
"Now, come enjoy a magma bath!"
Zhurong declared his intent clearly that he wants to end this fight swiftly.
---
Outside Pangea Castle
"Domain Expansion!"
On yet another battlefield, countless streams of seawater shimmered overhead, crystal-clear and deceptively beautiful.
In this enclosed space, only Apostle Deep Sea King and the bald elder, Saint Nusjuro, stood. Saint Nusjuro, gripping his katana, scanned his surroundings, there was nothing but water as far as the eye could see.
Except for a ten-meter foothold beneath their feet, every direction was a flowing torrent.
"Bottomless Sea and Sky," Deep Sea King announced, his voice laced with menace.
A cruel smile curled his lips as he regarded the dazed Saint Nusjuro.
This foothold was the last bastion of the domain. When the ocean currents crashed down, this space would mimic the crushing depths of the sea, ten thousand meters below. Here, Saint Nusjuro would face unbearable pressure, suffocation, and Deep Sea King's ability to manipulate the currents with ease.
"Meet the fall of the sea, Celestial Dragon!"
Deep Sea King laughed viciously.
With a roar, the overhead currents plummeted.
---
Outside Pangea Castle.
"Domain Expansion!"
On the battlefield between Apostle Celestial Dragon and the mustache elder, Saint Warcury, Celestial Dragon joined the other apostles in unleashing his domain, as if in competition.
The world around them transformed into a resplendent palace, gleaming with opulence.
Every detail screamed luxury, ornate decorations, magnificent architecture, spacious halls, and blinding brightness.
In the center of this extravagant palace, a golden throne materialized.
Under Saint Warcury's cautious gaze, Celestial Dragon strode to the throne and sat down with deliberate grace. He picked up a golden scepter resting beside it, his eyes glinting with authority.
Smiling at Saint Warcury below, his said, "Welcome to the World of Power and Desire."
(End of this Chapter)